Orchid’s diversity at Tepequém’s Tepuy, Roraima, Brazil

Abstract

The Orchidaceae family is one of the largest among the angiosperm, with more than 27000 species, 2,500 is endemic to Brazil, 871 species are found in the Brazilian Amazon. In the far north of Brazil, in the state of Roraima, is located the Tepequém Mountains, a Tepuy -mountain top with table shape -with relictual vegetation due to prolonged isolation. Historically, Tepequém was a site of diamond exploration, which caused changes in the landscape. However, with mining decay, ecotourism became the main economic activity. About 68% of Roraima's territory is composed of conservation areas and indigenous lands, and the Tepequém Mountain is the only Tepuy found outside the protected areas. Thus, this study aims to describe the orchid flora found at Tepequém's Tepuy, an area of ecological and economic importance for Roraima's ecotourism. The survey was carried out through expeditions between the years of 2013-2015. The species were photographed, harvested and taken to Embrapa Roraima for identification, exsiccate confection and/or cultivation. The exsiccatae were deposited at Roraima's Integrated Museum (Museu Integrado de Roraima -MIRR) and the Federal University of Roraima (Universidade Federal de Roraima -UFRR). Any orchid species deposited by other collectors was also considered. Thus, 20 genera and 34 species were registered at Tepequém. The genera with largest representation were the Epidendrum (7 spp.), Scaphyglottis (4 spp.) and Habenaria (3 spp.), with 70% of the other genera presenting one species only. 10% of Roraima's orchid's diversity is found at Tepequém. The diversity of habitats -forest, campina and savannah -found at Tepequém's Tepuy allows the Orchidaceae species diversity and the unique flora with low similarities to other floristic surveys. Keywords: Orchidaceae, high altitude vegetation, Amaraji, Amazon. RESUMO Diversidade de orquídeas no Tepuy do Tepequém, Roraima, BrasilA família Orchidaceae é uma das maiores dentre as angiospermas com mais de 27.000 espécies, 2.500 dessas são endêmicas do Brasil, sendo que 871 espécies são encontradas na Amazônia brasileira. No extremo norte do Brasil, no estado de Roraima, encontra-se a serra do Tepequém, um Tepuy (montanha com o topo em forma de mesa, onde a vegetação é relictual devido ao isolamento prolongado). O Tepequém historicamente foi alvo da exploração de diamante, o que causou mudanças na paisagem; porém, com a decadência da mineração, atualmente a principal atividade econômica desenvolvida é o ecoturismo. Em Roraima cerca de 68% do território são áreas de conservação e terras indígenas, e a serra do Tepequém é o único Tepuy que não se encontra dentro de áreas de proteção. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo é descrever a flora orquidófila no Tepuy do Tepequém, uma área de importância ecológica e econômica em termos de ecoturismo no estado de Roraima, Brasil. O levantamento das espécies de Orchidaceae foi realizado a partir de expedições entre os anos de 2013 e 2015. As espécies foram fotografadas, coletadas e levadas a sede da Embrapa Roraima...

Biodiversity and indigenous knowledge on orchid conservation: Study at a community in Yogyakarta

“…Studies that put identification of the extinction of orchids, studies that focus on ecotourism and data found in specific or certain areas such as museums, botanical gardens, ecotourism areas, and designated conservation areas. For example, a study conducted by Sanna Rocha Nóbrega, Francisco Joaci De Freitas Luz, Jane Maria Franco De Oliveira, Wellington Farias Araújo, Silvio Garcia Tomé explained the findings of orchid plants in the ecotourism area of Tepuy Tepequem Roraima Brazil, expeditions conducted between 2013-2015 have documented a number of orchid plants for identification, examination and cultivation [11].…”